Nucleotide sequences derived from the genome of retroviruses of the HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV type, and their uses in particular for the amplification of the genomes of these retroviruses and for the in vitro diagnosis of the diseases due to these viruses

ABSTRACT

This invention encompasses an env nucleic acid product produced by a process comprising providing a sample containing HIV-1 nucleic acid and amplifying the nucleic acid using primer pairs.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/670,105, filed Sep. 26, 2000; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/092,077, filed Jun. 5, 1998; which is a divisional of Ser. No. 08/895,231, filed Jul. 16, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,177; which is a divisional of Ser. No. 08/160,465, filed Dec. 2, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,637; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/820,599, filed Jan. 21, 1992, abandoned, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority to International application PCT/FR90/00393, filed May 6, 1990, French application 8907354, filed Jun. 2, 1989, and French application 8912371, filed Sep. 20, 1989, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to oligonucleotide sequences which can be used for the implementation of techniques for the amplification of specific nucleotide sequences of human immunodeficiency retroviruses of the HIV type or of monkey immunodeficiency retroviruses of the SIV type.

The invention relates in particular to the use of such sequences for methods of in vitro diagnosis in man of the infection of an individual by a retrovirus of the HIV type (at present HIV-1 and/or HIV-2).

The isolation and characterization of retroviruses grouped together under the designations HIV-1 and HIV-2 were described in the European patent applications No. 85/905.513.9 and No. 87/400.151.4, respectively. These retroviruses were isolated from several patients exhibiting symptoms of a lymphadenopathy or an Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

The retroviruses of the HIV-2 type like the retroviruses of the HIV-1 type are characterized by a tropism for the human T4 lymphocytes and by a cytopathogenic effect with regard to these lymphocytes when they multiply within them to give rise to, among other things, generalized and persistent polyadenopathies, or an AIDS.

Another retrovirus, designated SIV-1, this designation replacing the earlier one STLV-III, was isolated from the rhesus macaque monkey (M. D. DANIEL et al. Science, 228, 1201 (1985); N. L. LETWIN et al., Science, 230, 71 (1985) under the designation “STLV-IIImac”).

Another retrovirus, designated “STL-VIII_(AGM)” (or SIV_(AGM)), was isolated from wild green monkeys. However, in contrast to the viruses present in the rhesus macaque monkey, the presence of STLV-III_(AGM) does not appear to induce a disease of the AIDS type in the African green monkey.

For reasons of semantics, these viruses will be designated in what follows only by the expression SIV (the expression SIV is an English abbreviation for “Simian Immunodeficiency Virus”, possibly followed by an abbreviation designating the species of monkey from which they are derived, for example “MAC” for “macaque” or “AGM” for the “African Green Monkey”.

A strain of the retrovirus SIV-1Mac was deposited with the C.N.C.M. on 7 Feb. 1986 under the No. 1-521.

The continuation of the study of the retroviruses HIV-1 and HIV-2 has also led to the production of DNA sequences (cDNA) complementary to the RNAs of their genome. The complete nucleotide sequence of a cDNA of a retrovirus representative of the HIV-2 class (HIV-2 ROD) was deposited on Feb. 21, 1986 with the C.N.C.M. under the No. I-522, under the reference name LAV-2 ROD.

Similarly, the complete nucleotide sequence of a cDNA of a retrovirus representative of the HIV-1 class is described by WAIN-HOBSON, SONIGO, COLE, DANOS and ALIZON in CEll (January 1985).

Also for semantic reasons, the viruses of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 type will sometimes be designated in the subsequent description by the expression HIV.

The methods for the in vitro diagnosis of the infections by viruses of the HIV-1 or HIV-2 type currently practised, are based on the detection of anti-HIV-1 or anti-HIV-2 antibodies possibly present in a biological sample (biopsy) or in a biological fluid, for example in a serum obtained from the patient under study, by placing this biological fluid in contact with extracts or antigens of HIV-1 or HIV-2 under conditions which could give rise to the production of an immunological reaction between these extracts or antigens and these antibodies.

There is the risk that such diagnostic methods will give rise to false negatives, in particular in the case of a recent infection of an individual by the viruses of the HIV type.

The techniques of gene amplification make a considerable contribution to the development of in vitro diagnostic methods which are particularly sensitive for viral diseases. Among these techniques of gene amplification, mention may be made of the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique as described in the European patent applications No. 86/302.298.4 of Mar. 27, 1986 and No. 87/300.203.4 of Jan. 9, 1987, or also the technique known as “Qβreplicase” described in Biotechnology, vol. 6 page 1197 (October 1988) and that which makes use of a RNA polymerase (T7RNA polymerase) described in the International patent application No. WO89/01050. These techniques make it possible to improve the sensitivity of detection of the nucleic acids of the virus, and require the use of specific primers for synthesis.

In the case of research on the viruses of the HIV type, the choice of primers is problematical. In fact, owing to the great variability of the nucleotide sequences of the viral genome, a primer corresponding to the known sequence of a given isolate of a virus of the HIV type may fail in the amplification of certain viral variants of the HIV type. Furthermore, even if a primer is selected from a region of the genome which is conserved from one HIV virus to another, its “efficiency” is not thereby insured and may give rise to poor amplification yields.

The precise objective of the present invention is to provide oligonucleotide primers which, inter alia, make possible the amplification of the genome of all viruses of the HIV and SIV types, in particular for diagnostic purposes, with yields considered to be maximal in the present state of the art and which, in particular, do not give rise to the presence of many aspecific bands.

The primers of the present invention are specific both for the viruses of the HIV-1 groups and/or the viruses of the HIV-2 and SIV groups, and are insensitive to variations of the genome of these viruses.

The object of the present invention is oligonucleotide primers of about 15 to 30 nucleotides which can be used for the genomic amplification of the viruses of the HIV-1 type and/or HIV-2 and SIV types.

The invention relates to any nucleotide sequence characterized in that its sequence:

-   -   is either selected from those which are contained in one of the         nucleotide sequences included in the gag, vpr and pol genes of         the viruses HIV-1 Bru, HIV-1 Mal, HIV-1 Eli, HIV-2 ROD and SIV         MAC, or in the nef2, vif2 and vpx genes of the viruses HIV-2 ROD         and SIV MAC, or in the env, nef1, vif1 and vpr genes of the         viruses HIV-1 Bru, HIV-1 Mal and HIV-1 Eli, and more         particularly from those which are contained in the nucleotide         sequences defined hereafter,     -   or (particularly in the case of the longest sequences) contains         one of the above-mentioned nucleotide sequences derived from         HIV-1 Bru or HrV-1 Mal, or HIV-1 Eli or HIV-2 ROD or SIVMac, or         contains a complementary nucleotide sequence of one of these         latter sequences, it being understood that the possible         additional nucleotides which “extend beyond” the nucleotide         sequence of the type in question at the 3′ or 5′ ends preferably         coincide with those which are placed external to the 5′ or 3′         end of the same sequence within the complete sequence of the         viruses of the HUV-1, HIV-2 or SIV MAC type mentioned above,     -   or, if this nucleotide sequence is not identical with one of the         above-mentioned nucleotide sequences, or is not complementary to         one of these sequences, it is nonetheless capable of hybridizing         with a nucleotide sequence derived from the viruses HIV-1 Bru,         HIV-1 Mal, HIV-1 Eli and/or with a nucleotide sequence derived         from the viruses HIV-2 ROD or SIV MAC mentioned above. The         hybridization may be carried out at a temperature of 60°         C.±1° C. (preferably 60° C.±0.5° C.), recommended for an optimal         yield.

The numbering of the nucleotides mentioned below corresponds to that used in the reference manual “Human Retrovirus and AIDS-1989” edited by the “Los Alamos National Laboratory—New Mexico—USA”.

(The sequences of the viruses HIV-1 Mal, HIV-1 Eli were described by MONTAGNIER, SONIGO, WAIN-HOBSON and ALIZON in the European patent application No. 86.401380 of Jun. 23, 1986).

The sequences of the invention are synthesized in a synthesizer marketed by Applied Biosystems (phosphoro-amidite method) or in any other apparatus employing a similar method.

The invention relates more particularly to the oligonucleotide sequences characterized by the following nucleotide sequences (shown in the 5′→3′ sense; the initials “S” and “AS” indicate whether the oligonucleotide is sense or anti-sense, i.e. whether the oligonucleotide is oriented in the 5′→3′ or in the 3′→5′ sense): 1°) sequences common to the genomes of the HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV viruses (the pairs of numbers separated by a dash indicate the position of the nucleotides in the genomes corresponding respectively to the viruses HIV-1 Bru, HIV-1 Mal, HIV-1 Eli, HIV-2 ROD and SIV):

-   -   specific sequences of the gag gene of the genome of the         above-mentioned viruses (gene coding for a group of antigens         specific for the nucleoid of these viruses).

Certain variants may be introduced by certain positions of the nucleotide sequences indicated below, without affecting the hybridization properties of these nucleotide sequences with the genes of the viruses of the HIV and/or SIV types. The nucleotide sequences containing these variants are shown below the original nucleotide sequences from which they are derived by substitution of one or more bases. The bases representing modifications of the initial nucleotide sequences are indicated by a letter directly beneath the base which they replace in the initial sequences; whereas the bases of the original sequences which are not replaced in the sequences bearing these variants are shown by dots.

The synthesis of the primers is carried out by using all of the variants simultaneously. It is the mixture of all of the variants for a given sequence which is used in the tests. MMy1: TGG CGC CCG AAC AGG GAC ... ... .T. ... ... ... S, 636-653, 635-652, 636-653, 859-876, 834-851 MMy2: GGC CAG GGG GAA AGA AAA A ... .C. .C. ... ... ... . ... ... .A. ... ... ... . S, 854-872, 864-888, 848-872, 1160-1184, 1124-1148 MMy3: TGC CCA TAC AAA ATG TTT TA ... ... C.. T.T ... ... .. AS, 900-881, 916-897, 900-881, 1212-1193,     1176-1157 MMy4: TGC ATC GCT GCT TGA TG ... ..A ... ..C ..G .. AS, 1385-1369, 1419-1403, 1385-1369, 1703-1687,     1667-1651 MMy4B: CTT TGC ATG GCT GCT TGA TG ..C ... ..A ... ..C ..G .. AS, 1388-1369, 1421-1403, 1388-1369, 1706-1687,     1670-1651, MMy4Ba: CAT CAA GCA GCC ATC CAA AG ..C ..G ... ..T ... ..G .. S, 1369-1388, 1403-1421, 1369-1388, 1687-1706,    1651-1670, MMy28: AGG GCT GTT GGA AAT GTG G ... ... ... ... ..G ... . S, 2021-2039, 2055-2073, 2024-2042, 2329-2349,    2299-2318, MMy28a: CCA CAT TTC CAG CAT CCC T ... ... ... ... ..G ... . ... ... ... ... ..C ... . AS, 2039-2021, 2073-2055, 2042-2024, 2349-2329,     2318-2299

specific sequences of the vpr gene: MMy18: GAT AGA TGG AAC AAG CCC CAG S, 5590-5610, 5585-5605, 5554-5574, 6233-6296,    6147-6170, MMy19: TCC ATT TCT TGC TCT CCT CTG T AS, 5870-5849, 5865-5844, 5834-5813, 6551-6531,     6454-6431,

specific sequences of the pol gene: MMy29: TAA AGC CAG GAA TGG ATG GCC CAA ... ... ... ... ... ... .A. ... S, 2620-2643, 2615-2638, 2584-2607, 2971-2994,    2887-3010 MMy29a: TTG GGC CAT CCA TTC CTC GCT TTA ... .T. ... ... ... ... ... ... AS, 2643-2620, 2638-2615, 2607-2584, 2994-2971,     3010-2887, MMy30: TGG ACT GTC AAT GAC ATA CAG AA ... ... ... ... ..T ... ... .. S, 3339-3361, 3334-3356, 3303-3325, 3690-3712,    3606-3628, MMy30a: TTC TGT ATG TCA TTG ACA GTC CA ... ... ... ... ... ..T ... .. AS, 3361-3339, 3356-3334, 3325-3303, 3712-3690,     3628-3606, MMy31: CAT GGG TAC CAG CAC ACA AAG G S, 4186-4207, 4181-4202, 4150-4171, 4534-4555,    4450-4471, MMy31a: CCT TTG TGT GCT GGT ACC CAT G AS, 4207-4186, 4202-4181, 4171-4150, 4555-4534,     4471-4450, MMy32: TGG AAA GGT GAA GGG GCA GT ... ... ... ... ..A ... .. S, 4992-5011, 4987-5006, 4956-4975, 5340-5359,    5256-5275, MMy32: ACT GCC CCT TCA CCT TTC CA ... ... ... ..T ... ... .. ... ... ... ..C ... ... .. AS, 5011-4992, 5006-4987, 4975-4956, 5359-5340,     5275-5256 2°) sequences common to the genomes of the HIV-2 and SIV viruses (the pairs of numbers separated by a dash indicate the position of the nucleotides in the genomes corresponding to the viruses HIV-2 ROD and SIV-MAC, respectively).

specific sequences of the nef2 gene (coding for a negative factor of 27 kD) MMy12: ACA GAC TCT TGC GGG CGC GTG S, 9165-9185, 9139-9159, MMy13: ATA TAC TTA GAA AAG GAA GAA GG S, 9542-9564, 9516-9538, MMy13bis: CCT TCT TCC TTT TCT AAG TAT AT AS, 9564-9542, 9538-9516, MMy14: AGC TGA GAC AGC AGG GAC TTT CCA AS, 9956-9933, 9893-9870,

specific sequences of the vif2 gene (coding for an infectivity factor of 23 kD) MMy20: TAT GGA GGA GGA AAA GAG ATG GAT AGT S, 5424-5450, 5340-5366, MMy21: TAG CAC TTA TTT CCC TTG CTT T S, 5754-5775, 5670-5691, MMy21bis: AAA GCA AGG GAA ATA AGT GCT A AS, 5775-5754, 5691-5670, MMy22: CCC TTG TTC ATC ATG CCA GTA T AS, 6082-6061, 5995-5974,

specific sequences of the vpx gene (coding for a protein of 12 kD) MMy23: ATG TCA GAT CCC AGG GAG A S, 5900-5918, 5813-5831, MMy24: CCT GGA GGG GGA GGA GGA GGA AS, 6228-6208, 6141-6121, 3°) Sequences common to the genomes of the viruses HIV-1 Bru, HUV-1 Mal and HIV-1 Eli (the pairs of numbers separated by a dash indicate the position of the nucleotides in the genomes corresponding to the viruses HIV-1 Bru, HIV-1 Mal and HIV-1 Eli, respectively).

specific sequences of the env gene (coding for the envelope proteins) MMy5: CCA ATT CCC ATA CAT TAT TGT CCC CC S, 6905-6930, 6903-6928, 6860-6885 MMy5: GGG GCA CAA TAA TGT ATC GGA ATT GG AS, 6930-6905, 6928-6903, 6885-6860, MMy6: AAT GGC AGT CTA GCA GAA GAA GA S, 7055-7077, 7053-7075, 7010-7032 MMy7: ATC CTC AGG AGG GGA CCC AGA AAT T S, 7360-7384, 7349-7373, 7306-7330 MMy7a: AAT TTC TGG GTC CCC TCC TGA GGA T AS, 7384-7360, 7373-7349, 7330-7306 MMy8: GTG CTT CCT GCT GCT CCC AAG AAC CC AS, 7857-7832, 7846-7821, 7800-7775 MMy8a: GGG TTC TTG GGA GCA GCA GGA AGC AC S, 7832-7857, 7821-7846, 7775-7800, MMy9: ATG GGT GGC AAG TGG TCA AAA AGT AG ... ... ... ..A ... ... ... ... .. S, 8844-8869, 8836-8861, 8787-8812, MMy9a: CTA CTT TTT GAC CAC TTG CCA CCC AT AS, 8869-8844, 8861-8836, 8812-8787, MMy78: TAT TAA CAA GAG ATG GTG G S, 7629-7647, 7612-7630, 7572-7590, MMy89: CCA GCA AGA AAA GAA TGA A S, 8224-8242, 8213-8231, 8167-8185, MMy89a: TTC ATT CTT TTC TTG CTG G AS, 8242-8224, 8231-8213, 8185-8167,

specific sequences of the nef 1 gene: MMy10: AAA AGA AAA GGG GGG ACT GGA S, 9116-9136, 9117-9137, 9062-9082, MMy10a: TCC AGT CCC CCC TTT TCT TTT AS, 9136-9116, 9137-9117, 9082-9062, MMy11: AAA GTC CCC AGC GGA AAG TCC C AS, 9503-9483, 9505-9484, 9449-9428,

specific sequences of the vif 1 gene: MMy15: GAT TAT GGA AAA CAG ATG GCA GGT GAT S, 5073-5099, 5068-5094, 5037-5063, MMy16: GCA GAC CAA CTA ATT CAT CTG TA S, 5383-5405, 5378-5400, 5347-5369, MMy16a: TAC AGA TGA ATT AGT TGG TCT GC AS, 5405-5383, 5400-5378, 5369-5347, MMy17: CTT AAG CTC CTC TAA AAG CTC TA AS, 5675-5653, 5670-5648, 5639-5617,

specific sequences of the vpu gene MMy25: GTA AGT AGT ACA TGT AAT GCA ACC T S, 6081-6105, 6076-6100, 6045-6069, MMy26: AGC AGA AGA CAG TGG CCA TGA GAG S, 6240-6263, 6238-6261, 6207-6230, MMy27: ACT ACA GAT CAT CAA TAT CCC AA AS, 6343-6321, 6338-6316, 6307-6285,

The object of the invention is also the sequences (or primers) possessing a complementary nucleotide structure to those of the primers defined above.

It also relates to the nucleotide sequences possessing certain mutations with respect to those defined above without the hybridization properties, such as defined above, of these sequences being modified. The percentage of nucleotides different from those constituting the sequences described above without thereby affecting the hybridization properties of the sequences of the invention may attain 40%.

Generally speaking, in the case of a sense (S) primer, a larger number of mutations is tolerated at the 5′ end than at the 3′ end of the primer, the 3′ end being required to hybridize perfectly with a specific strand of a nucleotide sequence in order for this sequence to be amplified. In the case of an anti-sense (AS) primer, it is at the 3′ end that tolerance is allowed.

The object of the invention is also the primers such as those defined above and including a conserved stretch of at least 5 bases on either side of the central part which contains modifications without the above hybridization properties being modified.

One of the characteristics of the oligonucleotide primers of the invention is that of giving a clear-cut amplification band, usually free of aspecific bands when the technical directions for use described in the present invention are followed. This fact is due to the length of the primers which may attain 27 bases and thus increases the specificity of hybridization, as well as to the drastic conditions of use which make it possible to eliminate parasitic combinations. In addition to the percentage of homology with the reference matrix, the specificity for each type of virus is a function of the length of the primer which may attain as many as 40 bases in order to obtain an acceptable yield.

The invention also includes primers such as those described above linked at their 5′ end to a promoter for the implementation of a method of genomic amplification by the synthesis of multiple copies of DNA or RNA such as that described in the European patent application No. 88/307.102.9 of Aug. 1, 1988.

The object of the invention is in particular the use of the primers described above for the implementation of a procedure of gene amplification of nucleotide sequences of the viruses of the HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 and/or SIV type, this procedure being applicable to the in vitro diagnosis of the potential infection of an individual by a virus of the HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 type or of an animal by at least one of the three viruses (HIV-1, HIV-2, SIV).

This method of in vitro diagnosis of the invention is carried out starting from a biological sample (for example a biological fluid such as serum, the lymphocytes of circulating blood) obtained from a patient under study, and comprising mainly the following steps:

-   -   a step involving the extraction of the nucleic acid to be         detected belonging to the genome of the virus of the HIV-1         and/or HIV-2 and/or SIV type possibly present in the         above-mentioned biological sample and, where appropriate, a step         involving the incubation of the said nucleic acid with a reverse         transcriptase if this latter is in the form of RNA in order to         obtain a double-stranded nucleic acid (this last step being also         designated below as the step of retrotranscription of the viral         RNA),     -   a cycle comprising the following steps:         -   denaturation of the double-stranded nucleic acid to be             detected, which leads to the formation of a single stranded             nucleic acid,         -   hybridization of each of the strands of the nucleic acid             obtained during the previous denaturation step with at least             one primer according to the invention, by placing the             strands mentioned above with at least one primer couple             according to the invention under the conditions of             hybridization defined below,         -   formation, starting from the primers, of the DNA             complementary to the strands to which they are hybridized in             the presence of a polymerization agent (DNA polymerase) and             the four different nucleoside triphosphates (dNTP) which             leads to the formation of a greater number of             double-stranded nucleic acids to be detected than in the             previous denaturation step, this cycle being repeated a             defined number of times in order to obtain the said nucleic             acid sequence to be detected possibly present in the             biological sample in an amount sufficient to allow its             detection,     -   a step involving the detection of the possible presence of the         nucleic acid belonging to the genome of the virus of the HIV-1         and/or HIV-2 and/or SIV type in the biological sample.

The hybridization step described above is advantageously performed at 60° C. for 1 minute 30 seconds in the “10× buffer”, the composition of which (expressed as final concentrations for use) is indicated below.

The method of in vitro diagnosis of the invention may be carried out either starting from the viral RNA, or from the episomal or integrated complementary DNA.

In fact, the genomes of the HIV and SIV viruses exist in the form of RNA or DNA, depending on the localization of the virus in the organism.

When the virus is situated within the cells of the organism, in particular in the interior of blood cells, its RNA is recopied into DNA by a reverse transcriptase. On the other hand, the genome of the viruses of the HIV type in the extracellular medium, in particular in the blood, remains in the RNA form.

The extraction step according to the invention of the viral DNA contained in the cells of the biological sample recommended by the inventors—in addition to the standard method using phenol/chloroform—comprises the following steps:

-   -   suspension of the cell pellet in 0.5 ml of boiled water in a         Potter homogenizer with a wide pestle,     -   grinding of the cells by “forwards and backwards rotation”,     -   addition of Triton X100 to give a final concentration of 0.1%,     -   heat denaturation for 15 to 25 minutes at 100° C.,     -   brief centrifugation in order to remove only the cell debris,     -   precipitation of the DNA overnight at −20° C. by addition of 2.5         volumes of absolute ethanol and 10% of the final volume of 3         molar sodium acetate. The DNA is subsequently recovered, then         resuspended in boiled water after having been washed twice with         70° ethanol. It should be noted that this method leads to the         simultaneous precipitation of the DNAs and the RNAs which make         possible the detection of the genomic message of the viruses of         the HIV or SIV types by use of the method called “direct         PCR-DNA” or by that called “PCR-RNA”.

The step involving the extraction of the viral RNA is usually performed in the classical manner well-known to the person skilled in the art.

After extraction of the RNA, it is necessary to carry out an additional step involving the transformation of the single-stranded RNA into double-stranded DNA when the in vitro diagnosis of the invention is performed on biological samples containing the viruses of the HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 and/or SIV types, the genomes of which are in the RNA form.

This transformation of the RNA into DNA is carried out by treatment of the RNA obtained after extraction of the biological sample, in particular serum, with a reverse transcriptase in a suitable medium.

The object of the invention more particularly among other things is a method of in vitro diagnosis such as that defined above in which the step of retrotranscription of viral RNA is carried out in the following manner:

-   -   10 μg of RNA, extracted and resuspended in water, is placed in         the presence of the primer couple at a concentration of 40 μM of         each in a final volume of 40 μl. The mixture is denatured at         100° C. for 10 minutes, then plunged into ice-cold water,     -   10 μl of the following mixture are added: 5 μl of the “10×         buffer” described below+1 unit of AMV (Avian Myeloblastosis         Virus) or MuMLV (Moloney Leukemia Virus) reverse transcriptase+1         unit of Taq-polymerase+1 μl of a 25 mM mixture of each of the 4         dNTP+water as required to give 10 μl. The final volume is thus         50 μl.

This reaction is carried out in two steps:

-   -   a) 1st step: synthesis of the cDNA by the action of the reverse         transcriptase at 42° C. for 13 minutes,     -   b) 2nd step: standard gene amplification: the mixture is heated         at 95° C. for 3 minutes to destroy the reverse transcriptase and         to carry out the dehybridization/hybridization step, then the         cycle previously described for gene amplification is initiated.

The object of the invention is more particularly a method of in vitro diagnosis such as that described above in which the denaturation step is performed in the presence of one or several primer couples of the invention. In fact, as has been specified above, one of the characteristics of the oligonucleotides (or primers) of the invention is that they give a clear-cut amplification band, usually free of aspecific bands, when they are used under the following conditions:

-   -   hybridization: the primers (1 μl of a 40 μmolar (40 μM) solution         of each primer) are placed in the presence of the matrix DNA         (100 to 300 ng) for the first step of         denaturation-reassociation; the tubes containing this mixture of         matrix DNA and primers is heated for 10 minutes at 100° C., then         plunged into ice-cold water in order to increase the extent of         matrix DNA/primer reassociation. The primers must be used at a         final concentration of 0.8 μM each in the amplification step         which follows.     -   amplification: the 4 dNTPs are added to the preceding mixture,         each being used at a concentration of 0.5 μmolar in the final         solution (50 μl), and one unit of Taq-polymerase per 50 μl of         reaction mixture; this step is carried out in an amplification         buffer of the present invention, usually designated by the name         “10× buffer”, the composition of which (when it is diluted 1/10)         is the following: Tris-HCl, pH 8.9: 50 mM; (NH₄)₂SO₄: 15 mM;         MgCl₂: 5 mM; β-mercaptoethanol: 10 mM; gelatin: 0.25 mg/ml. 5 μl         of this buffer and water to give 50 μl are added to the         preceding mixture.

The amplification cycles are performed in the following manner: 30 to 40 cycles consisting of:

-   -   94° C. for 10 seconds (denaturation),     -   60° C. for 1 minute 30 (hybridization),     -   78° C. for 1 minute 30 (elongation).         The whole series is followed by a single cycle at 78° C. for 15         minutes.

The accuracy to ±0.3° C. of the temperatures indicated as well as their stability during the different parts of the cycles, are essential conditions for the production of maximal yields as well as insuring the absence of aspecific bands.

The optimal concentration of DNA is 100 to 300 ng in the case of genomic DNA extracted from cells (of patients or in culture, mammals or other species).

It is obvious that the preceding conditions represent optimal conditions for a final reaction mixture of 50 μl, and that these conditions may be modified, depending on the final volume of the reaction mixture.

The use of several different primer couples (or cocktails of couples) of the invention makes possible either the cross-detection of several types of the viruses of the HIV and/or SIV type, or the simultaneous detection of several genes of a given virus of the HIV and/or SIV type.

As examples of the preferred primer couples which can be used within the framework of the present invention, mention may be made of the following primer couples:

-   -   MMy1-MMy4, MMy2-MMy4, MMy1-MMy3, MMy18-MMy 19, MMy4a-MMy28a,         MMy28-MMy29a, MMy29-MMy30a, MMy31-MMy32a, in particular for the         in vitro diagnosis of the infection of an individual by HIV-1         and/or HUV-2     -   MMy5-MMy8, MMy6-MMy8, MMy7-MMy8, MMy5-MMy7a, MMy6-MMy7a,         MMy9-MMy11, MMy10-MMy11, MMy9-MMy10a, MMy26-MMy5a, MMy8a-MMy9a,         MMy8a-MMy89, MMy89a-MMy9a, MMy15-MMy17, MMy15-MMy16a,         MMy16-MMy17, MMy25-MMy27, MMy26-MMy27, in particular for the in         vitro diagnosis of the infection of an individual by HIV-1,     -   MMy20-MMy22, MMy20-MMy21a, MMy21-MMy22, MMy23-MMy24,         MMy12-MMy14, MMy12-MMy13a, for the in vitro diagnosis of the         infection of an individual by HIV-2.

The agent of polymerization used in the elongation step of the cycle is a thermostable DNA polymerase, in particular Taq polymerase, the amplifiose of the Appligene company or any thermostable DNA polymerase which is commercially available.

Generally speaking, the cycle of the method of in vitro diagnosis of the invention is repeated between 30 and 40 times.

Depending on the nucleotide primer couples used, the method of in vitro diagnosis of the invention also makes it possible to detect selectively the genes of the viruses of the HIV and/or SIV type present in the biological sample.

As examples of the primer couples which can be used for the above-mentioned method of diagnosis gene-per-gene of the invention are the following:

-   -   MMy1-MMy4, MMy2-MMy4, MMy1-MMy3, MMy4a-MMy28a for the gag gene,     -   MMy18-MMy19 for the vpr gene,     -   MMy5-MMy8, MMy6-MMy8, MMy7-MMy8, MMy5-MMy7a, MMy6-MMy7a,         MMy26-MMy5a, MMy8a-MMy9a, MMy8a-MMy89, MMy89a-MMy9a for the env         gene,     -   MMy9-MMy11, MMy9-MMy10a, MMy10-MMy11 for the nef1 gene,     -   MMy15-MMy17, MMy15-MMy16a, MMy16-MMy17 for the vif1 gene,     -   MMy20-MMy22, MMy20-MMy21a, MMy21-MMy22 for the vif2 gene,     -   MMy23-MMy24 for the vpx gene,     -   MMy12-MMy14, MMy12-MMy13a, MMy13-MMy14 for the nef2 gene,     -   MMy25-MMy27, MMy26-MMy27 for the vpu gene,     -   MMy28-MMy29a, MMy29-MMy30a, MMy30-MMy31a, MMy31-MMy32a for the         pol gene.

However, the combinations between “S” and “AS” primers described above are not limiting and may be varied according to the wish of the user.

The sizes of the nucleotide fragments synthesized with the aid of the primer couples mentioned above as examples are shown in the following Tables I to XI:

(the figures indicated in the Tables below represent the number of nucleotides in the fragments synthesized, and the “dashes” indicate that the primer couples tested do not make it possible to characterize the corresponding viral strains). TABLE I gag gag MMy1- MMy1- MMy2- MMy4 a- MMy3 MMy4 MMy4 MMy28 a HIV1-BRU 265 750 532 671 HIV1-MAL 282 785 556 671 HIV1-ELI 265 750 538 674 HIV2-ROD 354 845 544 663 SIV 343 844 544 668

TABLE II env env MMy5- MMy5- MMy6- MMy6- MMy7 a MMy8 MMy7 a MMy8 HIV1-BRU 480 953 330 803 HIV1-MAL 471 944 321 794 HIV1-ELI 471 941 321 791 HIV2-ROD — — — — SIV — — — —

TABLE III env env MMy7-MMy8 MMy26-MMy5 a MMy8 a-MMy9 a HIV1- 498 691 1038 BRU HIV1- 498 691 1041 MAL HIV1- 495 679 1038 ELI HIV2- — — — ROD SIV — —

TABLE IV env env MMy8 a-MMy89 MMy89 a-MMy9 a HIV1-BRU 411 646 HIV1-MAL 411 649 HIV1-ELI 411 646 HIV2-ROD — — SIV — —

TABLE V nef1 nef1 MMy9-MMy10 a MMy9-MMy11 MMy10-MMy11 HIV1- 293 660 388 BRU HIV1- 302 660 388 MAL HIV1- 296 663 388 ELI HIV2- — — — ROD SIV — — —

TABLE VI nef2 nef2 MMy12-MMy13 a MMy12-MMy14 MMy13-MMy14 HIV1- — — — BRU HIV1- — — — MAL HIV1- — — — ELI HIV2- 400 792 415 ROD SIV 400 755 378

TABLE VII vif1 vif1 MMy15-MMy16 a MMy15-MMy17 MMy16-MMy17 HIV1- 333 603 293 BRU HIV1- 333 603 293 MAL HIV1- 333 603 293 ELI HIV2- — — — ROD SIV — — —

TABLE VIII vpr vif2 MMy18-MMy19 MMy20-MMy21 a MMy20-MMy22 HIV1- 281 — — BRU HIV1- 281 — — MAL HIV1- 281 — — ELI HIV2- 319 352 659 ROD SIV 308 352 656

TABLE IX vif2 vpx MMy21-MMy22 MMy23-MMy24 HIV1-BRU — — HIV1-MAL — — HIV1-ELI — — HIV2-ROD 329 329 SIV 326 329

TABLE X vpu pol MMy25-MMy27 MMy26-MMy27 MMy28-MMy29 a HIV1- 263 104 623 BRU HIV1- 263 101 584 MAL HIV1- 263 101 584 ELI HIV2- — — 666 ROD SIV — — 712

TABLE XI pol pol MMy29-MMy30 a MMy30-MMy31 a MMy31-MMy32 a HIV1- 742   : 869   : 826 BRU: HIV1- 742   : 869   : 826 MAL: HIV1- 742   : 869   : 826 ELI: HIV2- 742   : 866   : 826 ROD: SIV: 742   : 866   : 826

It is to be noted that owing to their arrangement on the genome, the primers used for amplification may be combined in a manner such that they can be used as probes, either after labelling with ³²P by means of a kinase, or for use in the procedure employing cold probes to check the specificity of the amplification band observed during an analysis by “Southern blot”. In addition to the classical combination of the primers in order that a third oligonucleotide may serve as specific internal probe, the special case of the vif1/vpr and vif2/vpx genes due to the overlapping of these genes, which permits cross-detection, is to be noted. Furthermore, during an analysis of the amplified DNA by sequencing, these oligonucleotides may be used as specific primers for the DNA polymerase making possible a duplicate sequencing in each sense, hence a duplicate reading of the sequences, thus removing possible ambiguities in interpretation.

The object of the invention is also the primers such as those defined above, labelled in particular radioactively or enzymatically, as well as their use as nucleotide probes, in particular in the framework of the method of in vitro diagnosis such as described above.

The object of the invention is also oligonucleotides such as those described above and containing sugars in the α-conformation. Such oligonucleotides exhibit the property of reversing the sense of the double helix formed with the matrix (strand of the genome of the virus), this double helix thus passing from the “S” state to the “AS” state.

The invention also relates to the oligonucleotides described above in which some nucleotides are methylated and/or contain one or more sulfur atoms, in particular at the adenine residues. Such oligonucleotides possess the property of increasing the stability of the double helix and consequently of hybridizing better with the DNA strand to be amplified.

The invention also relates to the oligonuceotides such as those described above existing in the so-called “modified base” form containing nucleotides to which chromophores are covalently grafted (planar aromatic molecules such as acridine orange), in particular according to the method described in the article by C. Helene published in “la Vie des Sciences”, compterendus, série générale, tome 4, No. 1, p. 17-37. Such oligonucleotides possess the property of being easily detectable, in particular by fluorescence.

The oligonucleotides of the invention can also be used for the implementation of a method of in vitro diagnosis of the infection of monkeys (macaque, mangabey monkey or green monkey) by the virus of the SIV type, this method duplicating the principal characteristics of that described above.

The object of the invention is also diagnostic kits for the implementation of the methods of in vitro diagnosis mentioned above. As an example, a diagnostic kit of the present invention contains:

-   -   at least one oligonucleotide primer couple according to the         invention, each couple consisting of a primer which hybridizes         with one of the strands of the nucleic acid sequence to be         detected, and a primer which hybridizes with the complementary         strand of this latter under the conditions defined above,     -   suitable reagents for the implementation of the cycle of         amplification operations, in particular a DNA polymerase and the         four different nucleoside triphosphates, and the reaction medium         designated “10×buffer” described above.     -   one (or more) probe which can be labelled, in particular by         radioactivity, and which is capable of hybridizing specifically         in the labelled or unlabelled form with the amplified nucleic         acid sequence(s) to be detected.

The invention also relates to the use of the primers of the invention indicated above for the implementation of a procedure for the synthesis of proteins encoded in the nucleotide sequences amplified by means of these primers.

As an illustration, this procedure for the synthesis of proteins comprises the amplification of the nucleotide sequences of the genomes of the viruses of the HIV or SIV type (coding for a specific protein and, where appropriate, having undergone certain modifications of their nucleotides) by placing in contact the said sequences with at least one primer couple according to the invention under the conditions described above, followed by the translation of these sequences thus amplified into proteins; this last step is carried out in particular by transformation of suitable host cells with the aid of vectors containing the said amplified sequences, and the recovery of the proteins produced in these host cells.

The invention also relates to the polypeptides derived from the translation of the nucleotide sequences (or primers) of the invention.

The object of the invention is also the use of the anti-sense oligonucleotide primers as antiviral agents in general, in particular to combat AIDS, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing these anti-sense primers in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

The invention also relates to the immunogenic compositions containing one or more translation products of the nucleotide sequences according to the invention, and/or one or more translation products of the nucleotide sequences amplified according to the procedures described above starting from primers defined according to the invention, these translation products being combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

The invention relates to the antibodies directed against one or more of the translation products described above (or, in other terms, capable of giving rise to an immunological reaction with one or more translation products of the nucleotide sequences according to the invention, or also one or more translation products of the amplified nucleotide sequences starting from primers defined according to the invention) and their use for the implementation of methods of in vitro diagnosis of the infection of an individual by a virus of the HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 type, or of an animal by at least one of the three viruses (HIV-1, HIV-2, SIV) according to the procedures well-known to the person skilled in the art.

As an illustration, such a method of in vitro diagnosis according to the invention comprises the placing in contact of a biological sample (in particular serum), taken from a patient under study, with antibodies according to the invention, and the detection by means of any appropriate procedure (in particular with the aid of labelled anti-immunoglobulins) of the immunological complexes formed between the antigens of the viruses of the HIV or SUV type possibly present in the biological sample and the said antibodies.

The object of the invention is also kits for in vitro diagnosis containing antibodies according to the invention and, where appropriate, suitable reagents for the detection of the immunological complex formed by reaction between the said antibodies and the antigens of the HIV or SUV viruses.

The invention also relates to a procedure for the preparation of the polypeptides mentioned above, in particular those corresponding according to the universal genetic code to the nucleotide sequences (or primers) described above, this procedure being characterized in that, starting preferably from the C-terminal amino acid, successive amino acid residues are condensed successively one at a time in the required order, or amino acid residues and fragments previously formed and already containing several amino acid residues in the required order are condensed, or also several fragments thus prepared beforehand are condensed, it being understood that care will be taken to protect beforehand all of the reactive functions borne by these amino acid residues or fragments with the exception of the amine function of the one and the carboxyl function of the other, which normally must participate in the formation of the peptide bonds, in particular after activation of the carboxyl function according to the known methods of peptide synthesis and this is continued in a stepwise manner until the N-terminal amino acid is reached.

For example, recourse may be had to the procedure of peptide synthesis in homogeneous solution described by Houbenweyl in “Methoden der Organischen Chemie” (Methods of Organic Chemistry) edited by W. Wunsch, vol. 15-I and II, THIEME, STUTTGART, 1974, or to that of peptide synthesis on a solid phase described by R. D. Merrifield in “Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis” (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 45, 2149-2154).

The invention also relates to a procedure for the preparation of the nucleotide sequences (or primers) described above, this procedure comprising the following steps:

-   -   incubation of the genomic DNA, isolated from one of the viruses         of the HIV or SIV type mentioned above, with DNAase I, then         addition of EDTA and purification by extraction with the mixture         phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (25/24/1), then by ether,     -   treatment of the DNA thus extracted by Eco R1 methylase in the         presence of DTT, and purification by extraction as described         above,     -   incubation of the DNA thus purified with the 4 deoxynucleoside         triphosphates dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dTTP in the presence of T4         DNA polymerase and DNA ligase of E. coli, then purification         according to the method described above,     -   the cloning of the nucleic acid thus obtained in a suitable         vector and the recovery of the desired nucleic acid with the aid         of a suitable probe.

A particularly useful procedure for the preparation of the nucleotide sequences of the invention comprises the following steps:

-   -   the synthesis of DNA by using the β-cyanoethyl phosphoramidite         automated method described in Bioorganic Chemistry 4, 274-325         (1986),     -   the cloning of the nucleic acid thus obtained in a suitable         vector and the recovery of the nucleic acid by hybridization         with a suitable probe.

Another procedure for the preparation of the nucleotide sequences of the invention comprises the following steps:

-   -   the set of chemically synthesized oligonucleotides, provided         with various restriction sites at their ends, the sequences of         which are compatible with the sequence of amino acids of the         natural polypeptide according to the principle described in         Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 80, 7461-7465 (1983),     -   the cloning of the nucleic acid thus obtained in a suitable         vector and the recovery of the desired nucleic acid by         hybridization with a suitable probe. 

1. Nucleotide sequence characterized in that its sequence: is either selected from those which are contained in one of the nucleotide sequences comprised in the gag, vpr and pol genes of the viruses HIV-1 Bru, HIV-1 Mal, HIV-1 Eli, HIV-2 ROD and SIV MAC, or in the nef2, vif2 and vpx genes of the viruses HIV-2 ROD and SIV MAC, or in the env, nef1, vif1 and vpr genes of the viruses HIV-1 Bru, HIV-1 Mal and HIV-1 Eli, or (particularly in the case of the longest primer) contains one of the above-mentioned nucleotide sequences derived from the HIV-1 Bru or HIV-1 Mal or HIV-1 Eli or HIV-2 ROD or SIV MAC, or contains a complementary nucleotide sequence to one of these latter sequences, it being understood that the possible additional nucleotides which “extend beyond” the nucleotide sequence of the type in question at the 3′ or 5′ end coincide preferably with those which are placed external to the 3′ or 5′ end of the same sequence within the complete sequence of the viruses of the HIV-1, HIV-2 or SIV MAC type mentioned above, or, if the sequence of this primer is not identical with one of the above-mentioned nucleotide sequences, or is not complementary to one of these sequences, is nonetheless capable of hybridizing with a nucleotide sequence derived from the viruses HIV-1 Bru, HIV-1 Mal, HIV-1 Eli and/or with a nucleotide sequence derived from the HIV-2 ROD or SIV MAC viruses mentioned above. 2-26. (canceled) 